Published March 26, 2010 12:51PM
The New York City Triathlon has announced that, starting with its 2011 race, it will move to a lottery-based race-entry system.
The following article appeared in the New York Times:
When online registration for the 2010 New York City Triathlon opened at 12:01 a.m. last Nov. 1, Annabelle Fry manned two computers in hopes of doubling her chances at getting in. Fry successfully logged in, but as she filled out the application, all 5,600 slots were taken.
“It was a nightmare,” said Fry, who ran the New York City Marathon later that morning. “I just kept hitting the refresh button in frustration. It was not a good prerace night.”
To prevent another electronic stampede, the triathlon’s organizers have decided to hold a lottery for the 2011 race, which this year will be held July 18 and include a 1,500-meter (0.9-mile) swim in the Hudson River, a 40-kilometer (24.8-mile) bike ride along the Henry Hudson Parkway and a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) run in Central Park.